Lastras first in Italy

Dario Frigo still holds the pink jersey

Pablo Lastras has won the 11th stage of the Giro d' Italia.

Giovanni Lombardi, finished 10 seconds behind in second place, followed by Uros Murn of Slovenia in third.

Lastras broke from the lead pack with five kilometers (3.1 miles) to go on Wednesday to win the latest 137km(84.9 mile) stage.

The Spanard began his final sprint on the second of two 12-kilometer laps through the north-eastern city of Gorizia and held on for the biggest win of his career.

Lastras, riding for the Ibanesto.com team, was part of a pack of a dozen racers who broke from the leaders early in the stage that began in the Slovenian town of Bled.

Dario Frigo, who finished in the main group more than five minutes behind the winner, holds the pink jersey of overall leader for the eighth consecutive day

He also maintained his three-second lead over Portuguese Jose Azevedo.

Third-place Abraham Olano of Spain trails Frigo by 14 seconds.

The hot conditions meant that none of the overall leaders attempted to join the breakaway group.

Most riders are keen to preserve energy for the demanding mountain stages which start on Friday.

Thursday's 12th stage is one of the easiest in the three-week race, as most of the 139 kilometer (86.18 mile)course from Gradisca D'Isonzo to Montebelluna, is on the flat.